Picker stick connection



@ct 24, 1950 E. c. ALIX ET AL PICKER STICK CONNECTION 2 Sheets-Shea? .31

Filed Sept. 6, 1947 INVENTOR. ELMEIZ c. ALIX HARRY A. WILSON ATTORNEY 01%.. 24, 1950 E. c. ALIX ET AL PICKER STICK CONNECTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6, 1947 INVENTOR. ELMER c. AUX HARRY A. wmso/v ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 24, 1950 Elmer o. Alix, Charlton City, and Harry A.-Wilson,

South Spencer, Mass.

Application September-6, 1947, Serial No. 772,577

6 Claims. (Cl. 139-156) 1 This invention relates to improvements in loom construction and, has particular reference to novel pivotal mounting means and motion imparting means for the picker sticks of looms and method-of making the same.

One of the principalpbjects of the invention is to provide automatically releasable means for pivotally supportingethe picker stick and to furtheriprovide automatically releasable. means for 1 connecting thesweepstick. with the picker stick andnmethod of making the same whereby ab-' normal strainsdirectedto said means will pre-' ventspossible breakageofthe pickeristick and. associatedlparts"of the'looml Anotheraobjectl is to provide pivot-meansw-for l l the pickeristick whichimaybevset' so as toauto matically, irelease its. cpivotalutunction when a load of-anexcess amount is directed'to said pivot means; i l p Another. object-:is .to provide. a sweep stick connection withsthelpickerc stick which: will" auto-1..

maticallyl release. :when a a "load or an excessive amount is directedithereto andwhich may-bead justed according to the load-it is to resist} Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the-followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and. it will be apparent that many changes may bemade in the'detailsoi constr'uction, arrangement of parts and method shown 1 and described without departing-from the spirit of the invention as expressedinth'e accomp'a'nying claims. We,' therefore; do not wishto be limitedto the exact details ef construction; ar

rangement of parts and meth d shoWn' andde 3 scribed as "the preferred forms --only{have been' given by vway-of illustration; 5

Referring to the drawings:

Fig.1 is a side elevationalview of a's'wee'p stick' connection with the picker stick embodying -0ne'- form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view. taken as on line 2'--2-*' of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational'view of a picker stick pivotal connection with the rockeniron .of "the loom or conventional picker stick stand and f" showing'a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig; 4 is a .plan view ofthe'device"illustrated in Fig. 3 showing the picker stick in section I Fig. 5 is a view generally similar to Fig; 4 of-"a further modified form of picker stick pivot; and Fig. 6 illustrates a further modification oi picker stick pivot in accordance with the inven; tion. V

I1? ha been found,.in theupastl that duelto 2 improper function of mechanism that-the picker, which directs the shuttle transversely of the lay of the m, in:-,

stead-of properly aligning'with a conventional guide slot in theshuttle box might accidentally engage with the upper or'lower edge of the slotted, portion thereby preventing the proper response of the picker to the pull of the sweep,

stick. In. such instances the picker stick is caused'to bend runder the strain of the pull of the sweep stick with the result that the picker stick either :breaks or the conventional lug strap which connects the "sweep stick with the picker stick will break or the supporting castings may break; A further danger is that the said'picker may snap free and when engaging the shuttle vwill cause the same to be deflected upon its proper path of movement at a greatly accelerated speed with the result that the shuttle might cause a smash inthe cloth, cause injury to the; parts of; the loom or might cause injuryto the 1 operator. i

The present invention, therefore, is directed to overcoming theabove difficulties throughlthe provision ofautomatic releasing means for pivotally supporting the picker stick either separately of or in combination with automatic releasing means for connecting the sweep stick with the; picker sticky-Such i releasable means, in further accordance with the invention, may be adjusted to accommodate for a given stress or load whereupon any excess of this given stress or load will cause said automatic releasing means to ,function and thereby prevent breakage; ofthe picker stick or deflection of thei'shuttlei 1 Referringmore particularly to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several yiews, for ease of description and understanding o tthe present invention, applicant has confined the drawings to,

the immediate par.ts'embodying the invention. It is to be understood that the picker stick 9 is of the conventional type used with looms and that the sweep stick I9 is of the conventional J type. In accordance with conventional practice,

the picker stick 8 ispivotall y connected, as illustrated at H to the rocker iron or picker stick stand [2. For ease of description ofone particular embodiment ofapplicants invention, the rel leasable means of Figs. 1 and 2 is confined to the sweep stick connection with the picker stick. In this particular instance, the sweep stick connected embodies a pair or strap portions or straps l3 and it pivotally connected, adjacent one end thereof, by-a belt or the like 5 to the adjacent the shuttle box operating end I6 of the sweep stick I0. Suitable spacer members I3 and I4 are positioned between said straps and said sweep stick. The opposed ends of the straps I3 and I4 are provided with coneshaped pockets IT and I8 adapted to receive the tapered ends of a spacer member I9. The spacer member I9 is provided with a sleeve of resilient material of leather, rubber, canvas or other suitable means. The said sleeve 20 merely functions as protective means for the spacer member I9 and cushions the shock of the pullof the sweep stick IS on the picker stick 9.

To releasably retain the cone-shaped ends of the spacer means I9 in the cone-shaped pockets I1 and I8 while the sweep stick pulls the picker stick, according to. its conventional operation, there is provided a tie bolt 2I extending through the straps I3 and I4 intermediate the spacer member I9 and the pivot bolt I5. On the tie bolt 2I, there is provided a sleeve 22 similar to the sleeve 20. The tie bolt 2| has a, free end extending outwardly of one of the strap members I3 or I4, as desired, on which is mounted a coil spring or the-like 23. A suitable nut 24 working against a washer 25 which in turn engages the adjacent end of the coil spring 23 may be tightened or loosenedaccording to the amount of holding action desired of the pin member I9 in the cone-shaped pockets 1 I and I8. By tightening or loosening the nut 24, the extent of holding action of the straps with the pin I9 may be regulated. It is pointed out that the sleeve 22 not only functions as cushshaped member 40 carried by an adjustable bolt or the like M. The compression tension of the spring 38 may be varied by tightening or loosening the bolt M. A suitable lock nut 42 is provided for retaining the bolt in adjusted position. By proper adjustment of the bolt 4|, the grip of the cylindrical shaped recesses 3| and 31 with the pivot pin 32 may be varied according to the holding action desired thereof. If the strain on the pivot pin 32 is of an abnormal nature, as for example from one of the causes previously described above in connection with the constructionioning means but also resiliently retains the straps in spaced relation against the tightened action of the tie bolt 2 I It will be seen that should the picker carried by the picker stick 9 be accidentally moved into engagement with the end Wall of the slotted portion of the shuttle. box, as described above, whereby the picker is not free 'tofunction in its normal manner in directing the shuttle transversely of the lay of the loom, the pull of the sweep stick on the picker stick 9 will be relieved by forcing the pin member I9 outwardly of the cone-shaped pockets I! and I8. It'is particularly pointed out that the coil spring 23 functions. tor permit this totake place. In the absence of any abnormal action of the picker taken place, the pin i9- will normally retain its holding action with: the coneshaped pockets and will function to swing the picker stick about its pivot II and thereby direct the shuttle transversely of the lay of the loom.

Referring. to Figs. 3- and 4, instead of utilizing th conventionalpivot support II for the picker stick 9, th ere isshown a releasable pivotal support for said picker'stick. In this instance, the rocker iron I2 has a base support 26 secured thereto by a bolt-or the like 21 which extends through the longitudinal slot 28 adjacent the end thereof. The support 26 has a bifurcated portion 29 which comprises two spaced branches 30 each having a cylindrical shaped recess 3I therein.

The cylindrical shaped recesses are adapted to receive a pivot pin 32 which extends through the picker stick 9. Pivotally connected to the base support 26, as illustrated at 33, there is a top support member 34 having a bifurcated portion 35 having each of its branches 36 provided with a cylindrical shaped recess 31 also adapted to receive the pivot pin 32. The said pivot pin 32 is clampingly held within the cylindrical shaped recesses 3i and 37 by means of a coil spring 38. The coil spring 36, adjacent one end thereof, fits Within a recess 39 formed in the base support 26 and adjacent its opposed end fits within a cupadapted to receive adjustable bolt members or the like 44 each having a, tapered end 45 fitting with-- in the respective cone-shaped recesses. The bolts:

44 are carried by supports 46 and 41 which are: pivotally connected intermediate the ends there-- of by a pivot 48. The support 46 is attached to the rocker iron I 2 by a bolt or the like 49 extend-- ing through the longitudinal slot 50 in the end? thereof. A coil spring 5| having its opposed ends;

seated in suitable cup members 52 and 53 is adapt-- ed to regulate the holding action of the coneshaped ends 45 in the cone-shaped recesses in the pivot pin 43. The cup member 52 is securedto. I the support 46 by a screw or the like 54 and a cupshaped member 53 is carried by an adjustable bolt 55 by means of which the compression tension on the'spring 5I may be variedaccording to the holding action desired. Thedevice otherwise functions in a manner similar to the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A suitable lock nut 56 is provided for, holding the bolt 55 in adjusted position.

It is o e. understood that instead of forming the, bolts 44 with a cone-shaped point 45, thesaid ends 45 may each be provided with a cone-shaped recess, in which instance, the pivot,pin,.43. would. beprovided with tapered points to fit within the recesses Of the bolts 44.

Instead of providing adjustable bolts 44, as

shown in Fig. 6, the supports 5'! and 58 simulating the supports 46 and 41, may be provided with hemi-spherical recesses 59 and 60,for directly receiving the opposed hemi-spherically shaped ends .1 of a pivot pin BI, simulating the pivot pin 43. It is to be understood that the supports?! and 58,

like the supports 46 and 41,'are pivotally con nected with each other and are provided withanw,

adjustable spring type arrangement'similar to; V

the device illustrated in Fig. 5 for regulating the: holding action of the supports 51 and 58 with: the pivot pin 6|. The device otherwise functions in a manner similar to the devices illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

It is to be understood that although applicant. has shown and described either the pivot pinrelease or the sweep stick release separately of each other, that a sweep stick arrangement sim-- ilar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 might be in corporated with any of the picker stick pivot. releases shown and described herein.

It has been found that the holding pressure of the springs of the various devices described ab ve m st be a p oximates 50 l s. T res:

sure, however, may be increased or decreased according to the position of adjustment of'the bolts, 41 or 55 asthecase may be.

*: 12A device of the character described comprising a supportmember, a picker stick, connectionf'means connecting said support with said .picker' stick, a. sweep stick member and connection means for connecting said sweep stick memb with said picker stick, one-of said connection means comprising a pair of supports pivotally. connected with each other intermediate the ends thereof and having engagement portions adjacent one of the ends thereof and resilient means intermediate the opposed ends thereof for yieldingly urging the ends having the engagement portions thereon toward each other about the intermediate pivotal connection, one

of said supports being adjustably secured to one of said members, said engagement portions being adapted to releasably engage the opposed ends of a pin, said pin having a body portion extending through the picker stick to provide a' connection therewith and means. for varying the tension of said resilient means. I

2., A device of the character described comprising a support memb'e'rfapicker stick, connection means connecting. said support with said picker stick, a sweep stick member and connection means for connecting said sweep stick member with said picker stick, one of said connection:

means comprising a pair of supports pivotally connected with each other intermediate the ends thereof and havingengagement portions adjacent one of the ends thereof and recessed portions on the inner sides of the opposed ends thereof, with one of said recessed portions being adjustable toward the other, resilient means having end portions lying within the respective recessed portions for yieldingly urging the ends having the engagement portions thereon toward each otherabout the intermediate pivotal connection, one of said supports being adjustably connected to one of said members, a pin member extending through the picker stick, said engagement portions being adapted to releasably engage the opposed ends of said pin and means for varying the tension of said resilient means by adjusting said adjustable recessed portion toward the other whereby the releasable grip of the engagement portions with the opposed ends of the pin may be varied.

3. A device of the character described comprising a support member, a picker stick, connection means connecting said support with said picker stick, a sweep stick member and connection means for connecting said sweep stick member with said picker stick, one of said connection means comprising a pair of supports pivotally connected with each other intermediate the ends thereof and having engagement portions adjacent one of the. ends thereof and resilient means intermediate the opposed ends thereof for yieldingly urging the ends having the engagement portions thereon toward each other about the intermediate pivotal connection, one of said supports: being. adjustably-secured toone, of: said members, said engagement portions beingv adapt: ed toreleasably engage the; opposed ends of a p mi'sa d pin having a. body p rtio ex endin through he pi ker stick to. prov de a 'co neqtiqn therewith, means for varyingthe tension of said resilientrmean and the o her o sa d 91 11439 t on-means p si ga pa Qi s r por ns iv a ly pnn c ed c n o e en ther o to thenpmsed sidesprone e o he we p st with the, intermediate portions thereof stradcli s he picke stick and h v n n gement m n ad c nt the pose d ,i e t i h means rel bl nga the engagement means and tie means intermediate the pivot means and the picker stick having an adjustable resilient member thereon for yieldingly urgsaidfstrap' portions toward each other for controlling the grip, of the engagement portions with the pin means; v

A. A deviceof the character described comprising' a. support member, a. picker stick/connection means connecting said support with saidpicker stick,fl a "sweep stick member and connection means for connecting said sweep stick member w h said picker stick, one of said connection ina'nsb'o'mprising' a pair of supports pivotally connected with each other intermediate the ends thereoffl and having engagement portions adjacent one' of the ends thereof and recessed portions on the inner sides'oflthe opposed ends there of,]with one of saidrecessed portions being adjustable toward the other, resilientlmeans having end: portions lyingwi'thin the respective recessed p rti'ons for yieldingl'y urging the endshaving' the enga ement portions thereon toward each other about th n ermed ate pivo al'connectiomo'ne'o f .supports'being'adjustably connected to one o said ember a pin mem er xten n through the picker stick, saidenga'gemn't po'r tions being adapted to releasably engage the opposed ends of said pin, means forvarying the tension of said resilient means by adjusting said adjustable recessed portion toward the other whereby the releasable grip of the engagement portions with the opposed ends of the pin maybe varied, and the other of said connection means comprising a pair of strap portions pivotally connected adjacent 'oneend thereof to the opposed sides of one end of the sweep stick with the intermediate portions thereof straddling the picker stick and having engagement means adjacent the opposed ends thereof, pin means releasably engaging the engagement means and tie means intermediate the pivot means and the picker stick having an adjustable resilient member thereon foryieldingly urging said strap portions toward each other for controlling the grip .of the engageportions thereon toward each other about the intermediate pivotal connection, oneof said'supports being adjustably secured to one of said members, said engagement portions being adapted toreleasably ei'ig'age the opposed ends of apin, said pin having a body portion extending-through the picker stick to provide-a connection therewith, means for varying the tension-of said resilient means, and the other of said connection means comprising a pair of strap portions pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof tothe opposed sides of one end of the sweep stick with the intermediate portions thereof straddling the picker stick and having engagement means adjacent the opposed ends thereof, pin means 'releasably engaging the engagement means, said pin means having cushioning means thereon, tie means intermediate the pivot means and the picker stick having an adjustable resilient member thereon for yieldingly urging said strap portions toward each other for controlling the grip of the engagement portions with the pin means, and cushioning means on said tie means intermediate said strap portions.

6. A device of the character described comprising a support member, a picker stick, connection means connecting said support with said picker stick, a sweep stick member and connection means for connecting said sweep stick member with said picker stick, one of said connection :means comprising a pair of supports pivotally connected with each other intermediate the ends thereof and having engagement portions adjacent one of the ends thereof and recessed portions on the inner sides of the opposed ends thereof, with one of said recessed portions being adjustable toward the other, resilient means having end portions lying within the respective recessed portions for yieldingly urging the ends having the engagement portions thereon toward each other about the intermediate pivotal connection, one of said supports being adjustably connected to one of said members, a pin member extending 8 through the picker stick, said engagement per,- tions being adapted to releasably engage the op.- posed ends of said pin, means for varying the tension of saidresilient means by adjusting said adjustable recessed portion toward .the other whereby the releasable grip of the engagement portions with the opposed ends of the pin may be varied, and the other of said connection means comprising a pair of strap portions pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the opposed sides 'of one end of the sweep stick with the intermediate portions thereof straddling the picker stick and having engagement means adjacent the opposed ends thereof, pin means releasably en- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 524,571 Bartelt Aug, 14, 1894 1,488,532 Douglass Apr. 1, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 23,133 Germany Aug. 5, 1882 

